Clip for metallic clothes-lines.



N. B. WINTER. CLLP FOR METALLIC CLOTHES LINES.

. APPLICATION FILED N0v.22.1s1s.

1,157,747. Patented 0ct.26,1915.-

NELSON 1B. WINTER, 0F FEOSTBURG, MARYLAND.

CLIP FOR METALLIC CLOTHES-LINES. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented @ct. 26, 1915.

Application filed November 22, 1913. Serial No. 802,559.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NnLsoN B. WINTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Frostburg, in the county of Allegany and State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Clips for Metallic Clothes-Lines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to clips for a metallic clothes line of link construction.

It is the object of the present invention to provide unique means for fastening or holding the clothes or fabrics upon a wire clothes line.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel adjustable or slidable wire clothes clip or fastener.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiments in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of the line links having the clips thereon, portions being broken away. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 22 of Fig.v 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of an adjustable clip or fastener.

The link is fashioned from a length of suitable resilient wire, and embodies a straight draft strand 1, which has its end portions reflexed or bent back to provide the loops 2 at the terminals of the draft strand 1, the reflexed clip or end portions being twisted snugly around the end portions of the draft strand 1, as at 3. The convolutions of the twisted portions 3 are relatively long, and provide terminal clips or fasteners, the long convolutions or turns of the clip portions 3 being yieldable relative to the draft strand 1 and embracing the draft strand to hold the clip members coaxial with the draft strand. The inner or free end portions of the clip members are curved transversely along involute curves away from the draft strand, the said curved portions 4; being extended almost, but not completely around the draft strand toprovide the fingers 5 having the terminal eyes 6 spaced from the draft strand. The twisted portion of the clip members in embracing the draft strand, hold the curved end portions 4 and their fingers 5 spaced from the draft strand or out of contact therewith. Those portions of the clip members between the twisted and curved end portions extend spirally from the respective end convolutlons of'the twisted portions to intermediate points of the curved end portions, and

the fingers 5 of the curved end portions are extended spirally backward toward the Igwisted or body portions of the clip memers.

It is to be noted that the free end portions of the clip members are curved transversely along involute curves which extend away from and around the strand 1 out of contact therewith, and the said curved end portions of the clip members extend almost but not completely through an arc of 360 degrees.

The link embodies a longitudinally adjustable or slidable clip or fastener, which is formed from a wire or strand, so as to provide a spiral clip portion 3 passing snugly around the draft strand 1, the con yolutions or turns of the clip portions 3 bemg relatively long and being yieldable relative to the draft strand. The terminal portions of the clip portion 3 are formed into the curved portions 4 similar to the portions 4 above described, which portions 4 are extended into the curved fingers 5 having the eyes 6 at their tips. The fingers 5 are spaced from the draft strand 1, and are curved toward each other, or toward the body or central portion of the clip portion 3.

The draft strand 1 is of such a length, that the adjustable clip may be slid longitudinally between the clip or nipping portions 3 to the desired extent, it being understood, of course, thatthe clothes line links may be of any suitable length desired. 1

In use any number of the links may be attached together, the links being readily coupled together by interengaging or interlocking the adjoining loops 2, which is permissible by the engagement of the yieldable clip portions 8 with each other, as will be apparent. Likewise, the links may be detached so that the number of links may be increased or decreased, to provide a line of the desired length. A ring 7 is preferably engaged to the free loop 2 of the endmost link, whereby the endmost link may be connected to a post, or other supporting member, through the medium of the ring 7.

The clothes or fabrics to be hung upon the line, may be readily placed over the line, as usual, and the edge portions thereof may i be readily slipped into engagement with the several clips to support the clothes or fabrics 3, the fingers 5 and 5 being spaced from the sides of the draft strands 1, in order to permit the thumbor fingers to readily pass between the said fingers 5 and 5 and the draft strand 1, when engaging the clothes or fabrics under the clip portions 3 and 3. The fingers 5 and 5 being curved toward the respective clip portions, will prevent their catching or injuriously engaging the clothes vor fabrics when theclothes or fabrics are slid or moved into engagement with the clip portions. The terminal eyes 6 and 6 of the fingers 5v and 5, respectively, will prevent the fingers from being raised excessively, inasmuchas the eyes 6 and 6 will engage the draft strand 1, when the curved portions t and 4E, and the fingers 5 and 5 are raised a short distance.

It will be noted that the adjustable clips may be slid longitudinally, between the stationary terminal clips of the links, in order that the several adjustable clips may be readily slid to engage the various articles, whereby the line may be completely filled with clothes, without any large spaces or gaps.

' When the clothes are placed or folded over the line, they will lay snugly thereover, the

arched portions4 and 4 supporting the overlying portions of the fabrics in a desirable manner, and the fingers 5 and 5 in depending below the draft strands 1, will not interfere with the clothes or fabrics. The clothes line links are practically devoid of any encumbering projections. The clothes may notonly be readily applied to the clips, but may be quickly withdrawn or removed. The clothes may be conveniently clipped or grasped by the convolutions of the clip portions, and it will be apparent that the convolutions of the adjustable or slidable clips are yieldable throughout their lengths,

that is, from one terminal arch 4 to the other, while the convolutions of the sta- Copies of this patent may be obtained for tionary terminal clips of each link are free to yield throughout their lengths.

In Fig. 3, a variation in the formation of the. adjustable clip, is illustrated, the spiral twisted clip portion 3 having an eye or loop 8 formed intermediate its ends, and snugly embracing the draft strand 1, whereby the clip will slide snugly upon the draft strand, and whereby when the clothes or fabrics engaged under the end portions of the clip, will be limited in their movement by the eye 8. Thus, the eye or loop 8 serves as a stop to limit the insertion of the clothes or fabrics.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A wire clothes line clip embodying a twisted portion having relatively long yieldable convolutions adapted to snugly embrace a wire strand of a clothes line to hold the clip in place upon the strand and enable the convolutions to receive the clothes thereunder, one end portion of the clip being curved transversely along an involute curve so as to extend away from and around the said strand out ofcontact therewith, and the said curved portion extending almost but not completely through an angle 360.

2. A wire clothes line clip embodying a twisted portion having relatively long yieldable convolutions to snugly embrace the strand of a clothes line to hold the clip snugly in place and to receive the clothes thereunder, each end portion of the clip being curved transversely along an involutc curve so as to extend away from and around the said strand out of contact therewith, the said curved end portions of the clip extending almost but not completely through an arc of 360, and providing an entrance mouth for directing the clothes into the said convolutions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

NELSON B. WINTER. Witnesses A. C. MCEDVVARDS, D. REINKEN.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

